Club Penguin does a lot of social good, which is one of the reasons that we love it so much. Also, it’s fun and safe, which is basically the peanut butter and chocolate of awesome things for kids on the Internet.
Disney’s Club Penguin has an annual Coins for Change (no relation) drive in which players donate the virtual coins they earn in gameplay to “unlock” the funding of real-world projects. This past December players from 193 countries participated and together they donated over 21 billion coins [my boys donated every single coin they had, it was awesome], which, adjusting for snowballs and inflation, converts to $1 million USD. That’s real money that will build schools, playgrounds, and libraries, as well as protect endangered animals and their habitats.
Here is a list of the projects funded by Disney’s Club Penguin Coins for Change in 2014 (as provided by Disney):
- Schools (Ethiopia, Nicaragua, China): Through partnerships with organizations such as Free The Children and imagine1day, Club Penguin funds the construction of schools and classrooms, helping children get an education.
- Libraries and Reading Spaces (Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India): Club Penguin works with Free The Children and Partners in the Horn of Africa to provide books, training and information. These libraries supplement the basic education program by encouraging kids to read and learn on their own.
- Playgrounds (U.S., UK, Haiti, Afghanistan, Argentina) With KaBOOM!, Club Penguin is building playgrounds and supplying Imagination playgrounds around the world. With Playground Builders, Club Penguin constructs playgrounds for children affected by war. These efforts provide jobs and bring money into local economies.
- Animal Homes for more than ten different species (Argentina, India, Nepal, Russia, Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe): With organizations such as the Global Penguin Society, Wildlife Conservation Network, and Rare; Club Penguin directly supports the protection and conservation of over ten animal species. Our partners use science management, field research and community education to help promote and protect endangered animals.
Club Penguin has contributed more than $12 million USD since 2007, and the players have been involved in the efforts. That’s a lot of coin. a lot of change, and a great opportunity for kids to get involved in citizenship and social good. Thanks for that, Club Penguin.
